Raja, Kani allowed to cast vote in Prez poll

New Delhi: Former telecom minister A Raja and DMK MP Kanimozhi, facing trial in the 2G spectrum case, were on Wednesday exempted by a Delhi court from appearing before it tomorrow to cast their votes in the Presidential polls.

Raja, MP from Nilgiris constituency in Tamil Nadu, and Kanimozhi, Rajya Sabha MP from the state, sought exemption from personal appearance in the court tomorrow on the ground that being the Members of Parliament, they have to participate in the Presidential elections.

Special CBI Judge O P Saini allowed their oral pleas for exemption from personal appearance tomorrow after the CBI did not object to it.

Raja and Kanimozhi, along with 15 others, are facing trial for their alleged roles in the 2G scam and are presently out on bail.

The accused have been charge-sheeted by the CBI for committing various offences under the Indian Penal Code, including those of criminal conspiracy, criminal breach of trust by public servant, forgery and fabrication of evidences. They are also facing trial under the Prevention of Corruption Act.